Does synchronous early head and neck cancer with esophageal cancer need treatment after preoperative chemotherapy?

OBJECTIVE

Treatment options for patients with resectable thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) and synchronous head and neck cancer (HNC) are unclear. Little has been reported about the effects of chemotherapy on early HNC. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment outcomes of resectable thoracic ESCC with synchronous early HNC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 37 patients undergoing esophagectomy for thoracic ESCC with synchronous early HNC from January 2008 to December 2018.

RESULTS

Among 37 patients who had synchronous early HNC, 27 patients received preoperative therapy for ESCC before HNC treatment, and 16 of 27 patients achieved a complete response for HNC by preoperative chemotherapy. Fifteen of 16 patients did not receive additional treatment, and regional recurrence of HNC was not observed. In one other case, an oral excision was performed, but no cancer cell remnants were found pathologically. No significant difference in overall survival and disease-free survival was observed between 15 patients with follow-up and 22 patients with surgery or radiation.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that early HNC with comorbid ESCC could be followed up without additional treatment if preoperative chemotherapy is successful.